Swimming and Diving Travels to TCU

By Jonathan Harkey

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January 17, 2014 02:41 PM

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -The West Virginia University swimming and diving teams travel to TCU on Saturday, Jan. 18 for a dual meet at 2 p.m.

“It will be a bigger challenge for us to come away with a win than last week because we are on the road and taking just our travel squad,” says coach Vic Riggs. “Our depth with be key as there are only three scoring members, rather than the usual four, because TCU has a six-lane pool.”

Senior Bryce Bohman looks to build off his success this season on the road at TCU.

The Mountaineers are coming off hosting Pitt in a dual meet at the Natatorium on Jan. 11, where the women’s team lost 179-119 and the men’s team lost 161-139.

TCU is coming off of beating Manhattan in a dual meet on Jan. 10 in Miami. The women’s team won 102-88, while the men earned a 114-93 win.

"Our relays will be pivotal again for us to gain momentum on Saturday,“ says Riggs. “We will need to see our divers and some individuals that didn’t score last week step up if we are to come away with a win.”

For the men’s swimmers, senior Bryce Bohman is coming off three individual wins and one relay win and will square off against TCU’s Cooper Robinson in the backstroke events. Bohman’s top time this season in the 100 back ranks fifth nationally, while he has also posted a top-25 time in the 200 back. Robinson’s 200 back time also ranks in the top-25 nationally.

“This weekend is the first of three head-to-head opportunities for Bryce (Bohman) against TCU’s best backstroke swimmer, Cooper Robinson. It will be an invaluable experience for him to see what he needs to do going into Big 12s and NCAAs,” says Riggs. “Bryce is having one of those years you wish for an athlete. He has put in so much work and commitment, and it is nice to see that carrying over to other members of the team.”

Last season, the Mountaineers hosted TCU in their first Big 12 meet. In a tightly contested meet, both teams were edged by the Horned Frogs, with the women’s team falling 160-140 and the men’s team losing 160-131.

“Our women did a great job last week and we look to build off of that. Having our divers do so well was a great boost and we’ll look for them to do it again this week,” says Riggs. “Ultimately, we have a few racing opportunities to get ready for Big 12s and we need to take advantage of them.”